Air-cooling system for portable generator

ABSTRACT

Devices, systems, and methods to air cool a portable generator are disclosed. The devices include various air ducts to direct airflow over heated components within a cabinet of the portable generator to cool the components by convection. A damping fan draws ambient temperature air into the cabinet and directs the air into channels of an outflow duct.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/126,927, titled Air-Cooling System for PortableGenerator, filed on Dec. 18, 2020 and is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to equipment to generateelectrical power. More specifically, the present disclosure relates toembodiments of a portable electric power generator. More specifically,the present disclosure relates to embodiments of an air-cooling systemfor a portable electric power generator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments disclosed herein will become more fully apparent fromthe following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only typicalembodiments, which will be described with additional specificity anddetail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of anair-cooling system for a portable generator.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cabinet of theportable generator of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a chassis of thecabinet of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is perspective view of an inverter airflow duct of theair-cooling system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an engine airflow duct of theair-cooling system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6A is a front view of an embodiment of an outer duct of an outflowduct of the air-cooling system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6B is a perspective back view of the outer duct of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a front view of an embodiment of an inner duct of the outflowduct of the air-cooling system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6D is a perspective back view of the inner duct of FIG. 6C.

FIG. 7A is a front view of an embodiment of a damping fan of theair-cooling system of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7B is a perspective back view of the damping fan of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a connecting flange ofthe air-cooling system of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In certain instances, a portable electric power generator can be used toprovide electrical power when electrical power from a central electricalgrid is not available. For example, a portable electric power generatorcan be used during outdoor events, camping, tailgating, and anunexpected interruption of electrical power from the power grid. In someembodiments, the portable electric power generator includes a combustionengine configured to drive an alternator. The combustion engine canutilize any suitable combustible agent, such as gasoline, propane, andnatural gas. The alternator can produce alternating current electricity.In other embodiments, the alternating current electricity can beconverted to direct current electricity. In still other embodiments, thedirect current electricity can be converted back to alternating currentelectricity utilizing an inverter.

Embodiments herein describe portable electric power generators. In someembodiments within the scope of this disclosure, the generators includea cabinet. Disposed within the cabinet are a combustion engine and analternator configured to generate electrical power. The generatorsfurther include an air-cooling system configured to guide air over theengine to cool the engine. In some embodiments within the scope of thisdisclosure, the air-cooling system can include an air inlet to allowambient temperature air to enter the cabinet, an engine airflow duct toguide air over the engine, and an air outflow duct to guide airflow outof the cabinet. A damping cooling fan can be coupled to the engine andconfigured to draw the ambient temperature air into the cabinet throughthe air inlet, over the engine and alternator to draw heat from theengine and alternator, and push the heated air into the air outflow ductand out of the cabinet. In other embodiments, the air-cooling system caninclude an inverter duct configured to guide airflow over an inverter todraw heat from the inverter.

In use, in embodiments within the scope of this disclosure, the enginemay be started. When running, the engine can rotate the damping fan.When rotated, the damping cooling fan may draw ambient temperature airthrough the air inlets into the cabinet. In some embodiments, the airmay flow through the inverter duct and over the inverter. The air fromthe inverter duct can be directed toward the engine and be guided by theengine duct over a cylinder head and cylinder block to draw heat fromthe cylinder head and the cylinder block. The heated air can flow fromthe engine duct, over the alternator, and to the outflow duct. The airmay flow through the outflow duct and exit the outflow duct through anairflow outlet to the atmosphere.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an air-cooling system for a portablegenerator. FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a cabinet of the portablegenerator. FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a chassis of the cabinetof the portable generator. FIG. 4 illustrates an inverter airflow ductof the air-cooling system. FIG. 5 illustrates an engine airflow duct ofthe air-cooling system. FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate embodiments of an outerduct and an inner duct of an outflow duct of the air-cooling system.FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an embodiment of a damping fan of theair-cooling system. FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a connectingflange of the air-cooling system. In certain views each device may becoupled to, or shown with, additional components not included in everyview. Further, in some views only selected components are illustrated,to provide detail into the relationship of the components. Somecomponents may be shown in multiple views, but not discussed inconnection with every view. Disclosure provided in connection with anyfigure is relevant and applicable to disclosure provided in connectionwith any other figure or embodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a portablegenerator unit 100. As illustrated, the portable generator unit 100 caninclude a control module 105, a cabinet 110, an engine 115, analternator 120, and an air-cooling system 130. The cabinet may include achassis 111 and an upper cabinet 112. The engine 115 can include acylinder head 116 and a cylinder block 117. The alternator 120 mayinclude a stator 121, a rotor 122, an insulation ring 161, and aconnecting flange 123. The air-cooling system 130 can include a firstair inlet 131, a second air inlet 132, an airflow outlet 133, an engineairflow duct 150, an outflow duct 160, and a damping cooling fan 190.The outflow duct 160 may include an outer duct 170 and an inner duct180. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the portable generator unit 100may include an electrical inverter 125 and the air-cooling system 130may include an inverter airflow duct 140.

The engine 115 may be an internal combustion engine that uses acombustible energy source, such as gasoline, natural gas, or propane, tooperate. The engine 115 can be a two-stroke or a four-stroke engine. Anoutput of the engine 115 can range from about 1 horsepower to about 15horsepower.

The stator 121 of the alternator 120 may include magnetic poles. Thenumber of magnetic poles can range from about 12 to about 72. The rotor122 of the alternator 120 may include permanent magnets orelectromagnets. The number of magnets can range from about 6 to about36. The alternator 120 can be configured to output an alternatingcurrent (AC). The output can range from about 1,000 watts to about15,000 watts. The insulation ring 161 may circumferentially surround thealternator 120 and be disposed between the alternator 120 and theoutflow duct 160. The insulation ring 161 can be formed of any suitablematerial configured to insulate heat and guide the airflow. For example,the material may be any one of steel or heat resistance plastic. Othermaterials are contemplated.

The electrical inverter 125 may be configured to invert direct currentto stable alternating current. The electrical inverter 125 can includeairflow fins to facilitate convection cooling of the electrical inverter125.

The control module 105 can be configured to control any one of a key fobremote control system, an electric control system, an auto choke system,a fuel supply system, and a battery charging system. The control module105 can include a processor configured to be pre-programmed and/orconfigured to be programmed by the user. The control module 105 may behard wired to communicate with the various systems or may communicatewith the systems wirelessly.

FIG. 2 illustrates the cabinet 110 of the portable generator unit 100.In certain embodiments, the portable generator unit 100 may not includethe cabinet 110 and may be configured as an “open frame” portablegenerator unit. As illustrated, the cabinet 110 can include the chassis111 and the upper cabinet 112. The cabinet 110 may be formed of anymaterial suitable of withstanding high temperatures and harshenvironmental conditions. For example, the cabinet can be formed offiberglass, steel, aluminum or plastic. The chassis 111 may be of aunibody construction and include features such as holes, slots, etc.,for securement of components of the portable generator unit 100 withinthe cabinet 110. In some embodiments, the upper cabinet 112 may be of aunibody construction. In other embodiments, the upper cabinet 112 caninclude two, three, four, or more panels coupled together to form theupper cabinet 112. In certain embodiments, insulation panels may bedisposed on an inside surface of the upper cabinet. The insulationpanels can absorb noise generated by the engine 115 and other componentsof the portable generator unit 100. The insulation panels may alsoprevent an exterior surface of the upper cabinet 112 from heating toavoid burning a user if touched.

FIGS. 3-8 illustrate embodiments of components of the air-cooling system130. The air-cooling system 130 can be configured to guide or directairflow within the cabinet 110 to convection cool the operationalcomponents of the portable generator unit 100, such as the engine 115,the alternator 120, and the electrical inverter 125. FIG. 3 illustratesthe first air inlets 131 and the second air inlets of the air-coolingsystem 130. As illustrated, the first air inlets 131 and the second airinlets 132 can be disposed in a bottom portion of the chassis 111. Thefirst air inlets 131 can allow ambient temperature air to enter thecabinet 110 as a first airflow. The second air inlets 132 can allowambient temperature air to enter the cabinet 110 as a second airflow.The air inlets 131, 132 are depicted as a plurality of elongate slotsconfigured to allow the ambient temperature air to pass through theslots. In other embodiments, the air inlets 131, 132 may include anysuitable shape to allow the passage of the ambient temperature air. Forexample, the shape of the air inlets 131, 132 may be circular, oval,triangular, and square. Other suitable shapes are contemplated. Each ofthe air inlets 131, 132 includes an open area adequate to allow anairflow into the cabinet. The open area of the air inlets 131 cangreater than 85 square centimeters and the open area of the air inlets132 can be greater than 10 square centimeters.

The chassis 111 can further include an airflow outlet 133 in the bottomportion of the chassis 111. The airflow outlet 133 can be in fluidcommunication with the outflow duct 160 such that heated air can bedischarged from the outflow duct 160 through the airflow outlet 133. Theairflow outlet 133 can be of any suitable shape to conform to theoutflow duct 160.

FIG. 4 illustrates the inverter airflow duct 140 of the air-coolingsystem 130. As illustrated, the inverter airflow duct 140 can include avertical portion 141 disposed over the first air inlets 131 and coupledto the chassis 111. A cylindrical portion 142 may be disposed on top ofthe vertical portion 141. The inverter 125 can be disposed within theinverter airflow duct 140 and over the first air inlets 131. Theinverter airflow duct 140 can be configured to guide or direct the firstairflow from the first air inlets 131, over fins 126 of the inverter125, and out an open end 143 of the cylindrical portion 142 toward theengine 115. As the first airflow passes over the fins 126, heat producedby the inverter 125 can be drawn off the fins 126 by convection coolingand transferred to the air of the first airflow. The convection coolingmay cool or decrease the temperature of the electrical inverter 125 by atemperature ranging from about 0 degrees Centigrade to about 30 degreesCentigrade.

FIG. 5 illustrates the engine airflow duct 150 of the air-cooling system130. As illustrated, the engine airflow duct 150 can include a firstportion 151, a second portion 152, and a third portion 153 coupledtogether and disposed at least partially around the engine 115. Theengine airflow duct 150 may be configured to guide or direct the firstairflow received from the inverter airflow duct 140 over the cylinderhead 116 and the second airflow over the cylinder block 117 toconvection cool the engine 115 and to prevent the heated air of thefirst and second airflows from dispersing throughout the cabinet 110.The convection cooling may cool or decrease the temperature of theengine 115 by a temperature ranging from about 0 degrees Centigrade toabout 10 degrees Centigrade.

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate an embodiment of the outflow duct 160 of theair-cooling system 130. FIG. 6A illustrates an exterior of the innerduct 180 and FIG. 6B illustrates an interior of the inner duct 180. Asillustrated, the inner duct 180 can include a first airflow passage 181,a second airflow passage, a first airflow channel 183, a second airflowchannel 184, an airflow distributor 185, and an airflow outlet 186. Theinner duct 180 may include any suitable material, such as aluminum orsteel, and be formed using any suitable technique, such as stamping.Other materials and forming techniques are contemplated. The firstairflow passage 181 may be disposed to a side of the inner duct 180 andhave a general rectangular shape. The first airflow passage 181 can beconfigured to receive the heated first airflow from the cylinder head116 of the engine 115 and guide or direct the first airflow into thefirst airflow channel 183.

The second airflow passage 182 can be disposed on an opposite side ofthe inner duct 180 wherein it is in alignment with the alternator 120.The second airflow passage 182 may have a generally circular shape. Thesecond airflow passage 182 may be sized to receive the alternator 120and the damping cooling fan 190. A diameter of the second airflowpassage 182 can range from about 10 centimeters to about 50 centimeters.The second airflow passage 182 may be configured to receive the secondairflow from the cylinder block 117 of the engine 115 and guide ordirect the second airflow into the first airflow channel 183.

The first airflow channel 183 can be in fluid communication with thefirst airflow passage 181 and can be defined by a side wall 189 and theairflow distributor 185. The airflow distributor 185 can divide thefirst airflow channel 183 from the second airflow channel 184 whereinair flowing through the first airflow channel 183 cannot substantiallymix with air flowing through the second airflow channel 184. The airflowdistributor 185 may include an arcuate shape having a radius rangingfrom about 14 centimeters to about 24 centimeters. The airflowdistributor 185 may divide the airflow outlet 186 into two outlets, onein fluid communication with the first airflow channel 183 and the secondin fluid communication with the second airflow channel 184.

The second airflow channel 184 can be in fluid communication with thesecond airflow passage 182 and can be defined by a wall 187 having aconvex arcuate shape. A radius of the arcuate shape may range from about5 centimeters to about 30 centimeters. The arcuate shape can provide fora non-turbulent airflow through the second airflow channel 184. Further,the second airflow channel 184 can be defined by an exterior wall 188. Athickness of a portion of the exterior wall 188 adjacent the airflowoutlet 186 may be tapered toward the airflow outlet 186 to increase across-sectional area of the second airflow channel 184. The increasedcross-sectional area may allow the airflow within the second airflowchannel 184 to flow towards the airflow outlet 186 with low resistance.The exterior wall 188 may taper from about 2 millimeters to about 6millimeters to a thickness ranging from about 2 millimeters to about 5millimeters.

FIG. 6C illustrates an exterior of the outer duct 170 and FIG. 6Dillustrates an interior of the outer duct 170. As illustrated, the outerduct 170 can include an airflow passage 171. The outer duct 170 mayinclude any suitable material, such as aluminum or steel, and be formedusing any suitable technique, such as stamping. Other materials andforming techniques are contemplated. The outer duct 170 can include anairflow passage 171, a first airflow channel 172, a second airflowchannel 173, an airflow distributor 174, and an airflow outlet 175. Theairflow passage 171 can include an exterior opening 176 and may bedisposed to a side of the outer duct 170 such that it is in alignmentwith alternator 120. The airflow passage 171 may be sized to receive thedamping cooling fan 190 and the alternator 120. A diameter of theairflow passage can range from about 10 centimeters to about 50centimeters. A diameter of the exterior opening 176 may be smaller thana diameter of the damping cooling fan 190. The diameter of the exterioropening 176 may range from about 10 centimeters to about 60 centimeters.The airflow passage 171 can be configured to receive the second airflowfrom the engine 115 and guide or direct the second airflow into thesecond airflow channel 173.

The first airflow channel 172 can be in fluid communication with thefirst airflow passage 181 and the first airflow channel 183. The firstairflow channel 172 may be defined by a side wall 179 and the airflowdistributor 174. The airflow distributor 174 can divide the firstairflow channel 172 from the second airflow channel 173 wherein airflowing through the first airflow channel 172 cannot substantially mixwith air flowing through the second airflow channel 173. The airflowdistributor 174 may include an arcuate shape having a radius rangingfrom about 5 centimeters to about 30 centimeters. The airflowdistributor 174 may divide the airflow outlet 175 into two outlets, onein fluid communication with the first airflow channel 172 and the secondin fluid communication with the second airflow channel 173.

The second airflow channel 173 can be in fluid communication with thesecond airflow passage 182 and the second airflow channel 184. Thesecond airflow channel 173 may be defined by a wall 177 having a convexarcuate shape. A radius of the arcuate shape may range from about 8centimeters to about 30 centimeters. The arcuate shape can provide for anon-turbulent airflow through the second airflow channel 173. Further,the second airflow channel 173 can be defined by an exterior wall 178. Athickness of a portion of the exterior wall 178 adjacent the airflowoutlet 175 may be tapered toward the airflow outlet 175 to increase across-sectional area of the second airflow channel 173. The increasedcross-sectional area may allow the airflow within the second airflowchannel 173 to flow towards the airflow outlet 175 with low resistance.The exterior wall 178 may taper from a thickness ranging from about 2millimeters to about 6 millimeters to a thickness ranging from about 2millimeters to about 5 millimeters.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the damping cooling fan 190 of theair-cooling system 130. The damping cooling fan 190 can be coupled toand rotated by the engine 115. The damping cooling fan 190 may be formedof any suitable rigid material. For example, the rigid material can be ametal, such as aluminum or steel, or a reinforced plastic, such aspolycarbonate, or other plastic. Other materials are contemplated. Asillustrated, the damping cooling fan 190 can include a damping portion191, a plurality of fan blades 192, and a choke ring 195. The dampingportion 191 can be a circular plate extending radially outward from acentral axis of the damping cooling fan 190. A diameter of the dampingportion 191 can range from about 10 centimeters to about 50 centimeters.The damping portion 191 can prevent air from passing between the fanblades 192 adjacent the central axis of the damping cooling fan 190.

The fan blades 192 may be coupled to the damping portion 191 and have aheight ranging from about 2.5 centimeters to about 6 centimeters. Aradial inner portion 193 of the fan blades 192 may be disposed at anangle ranging from 100 degrees to about 165 degrees relative to aperpendicular plane extending through the central axis. A distal portion194 of the fan blades 192 can include an arcuate shape. The arcuateshape can include a radius ranging from about 11 centimeters to about 31centimeters. The arcuate shape may be configured to capture air anddirect the air into the second airflow channels 173, 184 of the outflowduct 160. The choke ring 195 may be coupled to the peripheral ends ofthe fan blades 192. The choke ring 195 can have a width ranging fromabout 5 millimeters to about 20 millimeters. The choke ring 195 mayprevent airflow from flowing toward the alternator 120 and guide ordirect airflow into the second airflow channels 173, 184.

FIG. 8 illustrates the connecting flange 123 of the alternator 120. Theconnecting flange 123 may be configured to couple the stator 121 to theengine 115 to prevent the stator 121 from rotating. As illustrated, theconnecting flange can include airflow passages 124 configured to allowthe first airflow to flow through the connecting flange 123. Theconnecting flange 123 can be formed of any suitable material, such asaluminum or steel. Other materials are contemplated.

In use, the engine may be started by an electric starter or pullstarter. When running, the engine can rotate the damping fan. Whenrotated, the damping fan may draw ambient temperature air through thefirst air inlets into the cabinet to form a first airflow and throughthe second air inlets into the cabinet to form a second airflow. In someembodiments, the first airflow may flow through the inverter duct andover the inverter. As the first airflow passes over the inverter, heatfrom the inverter can be transferred to the first airflow.

The first airflow can flow from the inverter duct to the engine and bedirected or guided by the engine duct over the cylinder head. As thefirst airflow passes over the cylinder head, heat from the cylinder headcan be transferred to the first airflow to further heat the firstairflow. The first airflow can flow from the engine duct to the outflowduct. The first airflow may flow through the first airflow passage ofthe inner duct, into the first airflow channel, and through the airflowoutlet into the atmosphere.

The second airflow can flow over the cylinder block. As the secondairflow flows over the cylinder block, heat from the cylinder block maybe transferred to the second airflow. The second airflow can flow fromthe cylinder block and over the alternator. In some embodiments, thesecond airflow may flow through the connecting flange. As the secondairflow flows over the alternator, heat from the alternator may betransferred to the second airflow. The second airflow can flow from thealternator to the damping fan. The damping portion of the damping fancan prevent the second airflow from passing through the damping fan. Thefan blades of the damping fan can direct the second airflow toward theoutflow duct and into the second airflow channel. The choke ring of thedamping fan may prevent the second airflow from flowing toward thealternator. The second airflow can flow into the second airflow channeland through the airflow outlet into the atmosphere.

Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions forperforming the described method. The method steps and/or actions may beinterchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific orderof steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment,the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified.For example, a method of air-cooling a portable generator may includeone or more of the following steps: starting a combustion enginedisposed within a portable generator cabinet; rotating a damping coolingfan; drawing a first airflow through a first air inlet into the portablegenerator cabinet; guiding the first airflow over a cylinder head of thecombustion engine; guiding the first airflow through a first airflowpassage, a first airflow channel, and a first airflow outlet of an airoutflow duct; drawing a second airflow through a second air inlet intothe portable generator cabinet; drawing the second airflow over acylinder block of the combustion engine; accelerating the second airflowby rotation of the damping cooling fan; and guiding the second airflowthrough a second airflow passage, a second airflow channel, and a secondairflow outlet of the air outflow duct. Other steps are alsocontemplated.

Embodiments may be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein likeparts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readilyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure that the components of the embodiments, as generallydescribed and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged anddesigned in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, thefollowing more detailed description of various embodiments, asrepresented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of thedisclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. Whilethe various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, thedrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specificallyindicated.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “theembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with that embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variationsthereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

Similarly, in the above description of embodiments, various features aresometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, ordescription thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. Thismethod of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that any claim requires more features than those expresslyrecited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect,inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of anysingle foregoing disclosed embodiment.

It will be appreciated that various features are sometimes groupedtogether in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for thepurpose of streamlining the disclosure. Many of these features may beused alone and/or in combination with one another.

The phrases “coupled to” and “in communication with” refer to any formof interaction between two or more entities, including mechanical,electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermal interaction.Two components may be coupled to or in communication with each othereven though they are not in direct contact with each other. For example,two components may be coupled to or in communication with each otherthrough an intermediate component.

“Fluid” is used in its broadest sense, to refer to any fluid, includingboth liquids and gases as well as solutions, compounds, suspensions,etc., which generally behave as fluids.

References to approximations are made throughout this specification,such as by use of the term “substantially.” For each such reference, itis to be understood that, in some embodiments, the value, feature, orcharacteristic may be specified without approximation. For example,where qualifiers such as “about” and “substantially” are used, theseterms include within their scope the qualified words in the absence oftheir qualifiers. For example, where the term “substantiallyperpendicular” is recited with respect to a feature, it is understoodthat in further embodiments, the feature can have a preciselyperpendicular configuration.

The terms “a” and “an” can be described as one, but not limited to one.For example, although the disclosure may recite a housing having “astopper,” the disclosure also contemplates that the housing can have twoor more stoppers.

Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and allnumbers between the endpoints.

Recitation in the claims of the term “first” with respect to a featureor element does not necessarily imply the existence of a second oradditional such feature or element.

The claims following this written disclosure are hereby expresslyincorporated into the present written disclosure, with each claimstanding on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includesall permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims.Moreover, additional embodiments capable of derivation from theindependent and dependent claims that follow are also expresslyincorporated into the present written description.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the artcan use the preceding description to utilize the invention to itsfullest extent. The claims and embodiments disclosed herein are to beconstrued as merely illustrative and exemplary, and not a limitation ofthe scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparent tothose having ordinary skill in the art, with the aid of the presentdisclosure, that changes may be made to the details of theabove-described embodiments without departing from the underlyingprinciples of the disclosure herein. In other words, variousmodifications and improvements of the embodiments specifically disclosedin the description above are within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, the order of the steps or actions of the methods disclosedherein may be changed by those skilled in the art without departing fromthe scope of the present disclosure. In other words, unless a specificorder of steps or actions is required for proper operation of theembodiment, the order or use of specific steps or actions may bemodified. The scope of the invention is therefore defined by thefollowing claims and their equivalents.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A portable generator unit, comprising: acabinet comprising an engine and an alternator, the engine and thealternator configured to generate electrical power, wherein the engineincludes an output-shaft side and a recoil-starter side; an air-coolingsystem coupled to the cabinet and comprising an air inlet and an airoutlet disposed in the cabinet, wherein the air inlet allows airflow toenter the cabinet, wherein the air-cooling system is configured to guidethe airflow over the engine and the alternator using one or more of aplurality of ducts, and wherein the air outlet allows the airflow toexit the cabinet; an inverter airflow duct disposed around an electricalinverter, and configured to guide the airflow around the electricalinverter; an engine head airflow duct disposed around an engine head,and configured to, based on the airflow having been guided around theelectrical inverter, guide a first portion of the airflow around theengine head and over the alternator; an engine block airflow ductdisposed around an engine block, and configured to, based on the airflowhaving been guided around the electrical inverter, guide a secondportion of the airflow around the engine block; and an air outflow duct,coupled to an airflow distributor, the air outflow duct configured toreceive the first portion of the airflow and the second portion of theairflow, and to guide the first portion of the airflow and the secondportion of the airflow to exit the cabinet through the air outlet. 2.The portable generator unit of claim 1, wherein the engine block airflowduct disposed around the engine block is further configured to, based onthe second portion of the airflow having been guided around the engineblock, guide the second portion of the airflow around the alternator. 3.The portable generator unit of claim 1, wherein the air-cooling systemfurther comprises an insulation ring disposed between the alternator andthe air outflow duct, wherein the insulation ring is configured to guidethe airflow, including the first portion and the second portion, towardthe air outflow duct.
 4. The portable generator unit of claim 1, furthercomprising a damping cooling fan coupled to the engine and configured todraw airflow through the inverter airflow duct.
 5. The portablegenerator unit of claim 4, wherein the damping cooling fan comprises: adamping portion; a plurality of fan blades extending radially outwardfrom the damping portion; a choke ring disposed at a perimeter of theplurality of the fan blades; and a fan blade airflow passage defined byadjacent fan blades of the plurality of fan blades, the damping portion,and the choke ring.
 6. The portable generator unit of claim 1, whereinthe alternator is coupled to the engine on the output-shaft side.
 7. Theportable generator unit of claim 1, wherein the engine is a combustionengine.
 8. The portable generator unit of claim 1, wherein the airflowdistributor is further configured to maintain separation between thefirst airflow portion and the second airflow portion.
 9. The portablegenerator unit of claim 1, wherein the airflow allowed to enter thecabinet by the air inlet is of ambient temperature.
 10. The portablegenerator unit of claim 1, wherein the inverter airflow duct comprises avertical portion disposed over the air inlet and a cylindrical portionin fluid communication with the vertical portion, and configured toguide the guide the first portion of the airflow around the engine headvia the engine head airflow duct disposed around an engine head.
 11. Theportable generator unit of claim 1, wherein the inverter airflow ductcomprises: a first panel; a second panel; a third panel; wherein thefirst panel, the second panel, and the third panel are coupled to and atleast partially surround the engine.
 12. The portable generator unit ofclaim 1, further comprising a connecting flange configured to couple analternator stator with the engine, wherein the connecting flangecomprises a plurality of airflow passages, and wherein the airflowpassages enable airflow through the one or more of the plurality ofducts.
 13. The portable generator unit of claim 1, further comprising acontrol module configured to control any one of a key fob remote controlsystem, an auto choke system, an electric control system, a fuel supplysystem, a battery charting system, or combinations thereof.
 14. Aportable generator unit, comprising: a cabinet comprising an engine andan alternator, wherein the engine includes an output-shaft side and arecoil-starter side; an air-cooling system coupled to the cabinet andcomprising an air inlet and an air outlet disposed in the cabinet; aninverter airflow duct disposed around an electrical inverter, andconfigured to guide airflow around the electrical inverter and towardsan engine head airflow duct and an engine block airflow duct; the enginehead airflow duct disposed around an engine head, and configured toguide a first portion of the airflow around the engine head and over thealternator; the engine block airflow duct disposed around an engineblock, and configured to guide a second portion of the airflow aroundthe engine block; and an air outflow duct configured to receive thefirst portion of the airflow and the second portion of the airflow, andto guide the first portion of the airflow and the second portion of theairflow to exit the cabinet through the air outlet.
 15. The portablegenerator unit of claim 14, wherein: the air inlet is configured toallow airflow to enter the cabinet; the air-cooling system is configuredto guide the airflow over the engine and the alternator using one ormore of a plurality of ducts; and the air outlet is configured to theairflow to exit the cabinet.
 16. The portable generator unit of claim14, wherein the engine head airflow duct disposed around the engine headis configured to guide the first portion of the airflow around theengine head and over the alternator based at least on the airflow havingbeen guided around the electrical inverter, and wherein the engine blockairflow duct disposed around the engine block is configured to guide thesecond portion of the airflow around the engine block based at least onthe airflow having been guided around the electrical inverter.
 17. Theportable generator unit of claim 14, wherein the air outflow duct iscoupled to an airflow distributor, and wherein the airflow distributoris configured to maintain separation between the first airflow portionand the second airflow portion.
 18. The portable generator unit of claim14, further comprising a connecting flange configured to couple analternator stator with the engine, wherein the connecting flangecomprises a plurality of airflow passages, and wherein the airflowpassages enable airflow through the one or more of the plurality ofducts.
 19. The portable generator unit of claim 14, further comprising adamping cooling fan coupled to the engine and configured to draw airflowthrough the inverter airflow duct, and wherein the damping cooling fancomprises: a damping portion; a plurality of fan blades extendingradially outward from the damping portion; a choke ring disposed at aperimeter of the plurality of the fan blades; and a fan blade airflowpassage defined by adjacent fan blades of the plurality of fan blades,the damping portion, and the choke ring.
 20. The portable generator unitof claim 14, wherein the alternator is coupled to the engine on theoutput-shaft side.